Alleged drunken driver flees police, crashes car

FALMOUTH — A 55-year-old East Falmouth man is accused of passing a police cruiser going 80 mph and reaching speeds as high as 110 mph before crashing at the intersection of Route 151 and Sandwich Road early Sunday morning, court records show.

By GEORGE BRENNAN

capecodtimes.com

By GEORGE BRENNAN

Posted Jun. 24, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By GEORGE BRENNAN
Posted Jun. 24, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

FALMOUTH — A 55-year-old East Falmouth man is accused of passing a police cruiser going 80 mph and reaching speeds as high as 110 mph before crashing at the intersection of Route 151 and Sandwich Road early Sunday morning, court records show.

Kenneth Richmond, of 54 Andrews St., pleaded not guilty Monday in Falmouth District Court to charges of operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lanes violation.

According to court records, at 1:06 a.m. Falmouth police initiated a pursuit of Richmond at speeds that exceeded 100 mph before being told by dispatch to back off. A short time later, an officer came upon Richmond's Mustang off the road at the intersection and rolled on its side, records say.

The crash knocked out the traffic signal at the intersection for much of the day Sunday, according to Falmouth police and fire officials.

Inside the vehicle, Richmond could be seen trying to eat a marijuana cigarette, records say.

At one point, police had to smash a window and fire pepper spray at Richmond because he ignored their repeated requests to stop reaching for an item in the car, records say.

Richmond was taken to Falmouth Hospital for treatment. When he was cleared by the hospital, he was taken into custody, records show. Police smelled a strong odor of both marijuana and alcohol, records say.

According to the police report, officers found 3.2 grams of marijuana when they searched Richmond.